Educate an Open Doors Assistance Dog in Honor of: Karen Vaughn

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Karen Vaughn is a single mom who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Anxiety. An ECAD Service Dog will help her cope and provide Karen with a sense of security.

Karen's Story:

As a United States Army veteran, while in service, I had two military occupation specialty (MOS) codes: I was an Intelligence Analyst and an Interrogator. Currently, I am a public high school Spanish teacher in Connecticut. I have four beautiful children, the eldest is six and my youngest was born on Thanksgiving Day 2016.

Two years ago, I discovered that my children’s nanny was abusing my then three-year old daughter and both of my one-year old twins. In the years since, there has been one setback after another as we try to heal. A service dog will be of great help to me and will also help me be a better parent to my children. As a parent who has endured this unthinkable event and the aftermath, I now suffer from PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety.

An ECAD Service Dog will assist me in coping with emotional overload. The dog will provide me with a sense of security and will also have a calming effect. In my specific case, my daughter has been known to run out of the house when she feels upset. This is very dangerous for her, and the service dog will be trained to alert me before it happens.

Ever since the event has occurred, I feel very uneasy in crowds. The service dog will give me the physical space that I need and can also act as a distraction, removing me from an upsetting situation. Also, I have been experiencing nightmares and night terrors. The service dog will be there to wake me, providing comfort and alleviating anxiety and distress.

Most importantly, my service dog will give me unconditional love and acceptance without judgement, which I so greatly need. My family and I have suffered so much over the past two years. This is why I am trying to raise funds so that I can get a specially-trained service dog.

Thank you for your generous support to help ECAD educate a service dog for Karen.

Donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowable by law. If your employer has a Matching Gift program,
please complete the form and mail it to ECAD, P.O. Box 831, Torrington, CT 06790.